Auction vs. Traditional Sale: Which is Right for Your Property?

Smart Tennessee homebuyers succeed with these proven strategies, expert tips, and step-by-step guide to navigating the East TN real estate market.

As your local Elizabethton and Carter County real estate specialist, I'm excited to share the latest market trends with you. The April 2025 data reveals significant shifts in our local market compared to previous months, providing valuable insights for both buyers and sellers. Sales Activity Picking Up After February's 20 home sales, Elizabethton has seen a remarkable 65% increase in transaction volume, with 33 homes sold in April. This substantial uptick signals the traditional spring market is in full swing in Carter County. Interestingly, while many neighboring communities show significant year-over-year changes in sales volume (both positive and negative), Elizabethton reports 0% change from April 2024, demonstrating remarkable stability compared to last year's spring market. Price Adjustments Continue The median home price in Elizabethton has decreased from February's $251,000 to $222,000 in April – an 11.6% reduction over just two months. Year-over-year, this represents a 7.11% decrease in median sale price. This adjustment follows the pattern we observed between December 2024 and February 2025, suggesting a market that continues to normalize after the extraordinary appreciation we saw throughout much of 2024. Comparing Regional Performance Elizabethton's median sale price of $222,000 now positions our community as one of the region's most affordable markets. This creates an excellent opportunity for first-time homebuyers and investors looking for value in Northeast Tennessee. While communities like Johnson City ($315,000), Jonesborough ($379,900), and Blountville ($327,830) maintain significantly higher price points, Elizabethton offers comparable quality of life at a substantially lower entry point. Market Context and Migration Trends As Don Fenley noted in his recent analysis, "New residents continued flocking to the Tri-Cities last year and fueling population growth. But the flow is changing." While domestic migration slowed across the region in 2024, the overall Tri-Cities market shows resilience with the April data reporting 624 total sales and a median price of $273,600 – up 5.23% year-over-year. What This Means For You For sellers in Elizabethton, the increased sales activity is positive news, even as prices have moderated. Properly priced homes are selling, and the spring/summer season should continue to bring motivated buyers to our market. For buyers, Elizabethton's affordability relative to neighboring communities presents an excellent opportunity. With median prices nearly $100,000 below Johnson City and over $150,000 below Jonesborough, our community offers remarkable value while maintaining easy access to regional amenities. Whether you're considering a move within Carter County or relocating to our beautiful community, these trends highlight Elizabethton's continued appeal as an affordable, stable market in the Tri-Cities region. I'm here to help you navigate these changing conditions to achieve your real estate goals.

Collins & Company Realtors and Auctioneers Collins & Company Realtors and Auctioneers bridges the traditional real estate market with the dynamic world of auctions and estate services. Led by David Collins, we provide comprehensive property solutions through conventional listings, competitive auction environments, and complete estate sale management. Our dual expertise allows us to serve clients with flexibility and market insight that single-specialty firms cannot match. Whether navigating a traditional home sale or maximizing value through our strategic auction platform, we bring decades of regional market knowledge to every transaction.  Estate Sale Services We offer professional estate sale services through our innovative online auction process. Our dedicated team handles everything from full estate clean-outs to strategic home marketing. Every item is nationally advertised, providing maximum exposure to interested buyers across the country, ensuring optimal returns for our clients. Collins & Company distinguishes itself through personalized attention, transparent processes, and unwavering commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for sellers and buyers alike. Our team of seasoned professionals guides clients through every step, combining time-honored real estate practices with innovative auction strategies. We pride ourselves on integrity, market intelligence, and results-driven service that transforms complex transactions into seamless experiences. When you choose Collins & Company, you're not just listing a property—you're leveraging a complete property marketing system designed to maximize exposure and value in any market condition.

With the implementation of new tariffs making headlines, many homeowners and prospective buyers are wondering how these policies might impact the housing market. While conventional wisdom suggests tariffs on building materials would simply drive up costs and slow down the market, the reality is more nuanced. Let's explore the complex relationship between tariffs and housing. The Two-Sided Impact of Tariffs Tariffs create a balancing act of opposing forces in the housing market: Potential Negative Effects: Higher Construction Costs : Tariffs on imported materials like lumber, steel, and aluminum directly increase the cost of building new homes and renovating existing ones. Supply Chain Disruptions : As manufacturers adjust to new import costs, we may see delays and shortages in certain building materials. Reduced New Construction : Developers may scale back projects when facing higher material costs, potentially worsening housing shortages in high-demand areas. Economic Uncertainty : Broader economic concerns related to tariffs could make some buyers hesitant to make major purchasing decisions. Potential Positive Effects: Lower Mortgage Rates : As economists have noted, tariffs can slow economic growth, which often prompts the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. This could translate to more favorable mortgage rates for buyers. Increased Competitiveness of Existing Homes : As new home prices rise due to higher building costs, existing homes may become relatively more attractive to buyers. Regional Manufacturing Boosts : Some local building material manufacturers might see increased demand, potentially creating jobs in certain regions. Who Stands to Gain or Lose? Different segments of the housing market will likely experience varying impacts: First-time homebuyers may benefit from lower interest rates but face higher prices for entry-level new construction. Luxury homebuyers might see the most significant price increases, as high-end homes typically use more imported materials. Homeowners planning renovations could face higher costs and potentially delayed projects. Current homeowners with no plans to sell might benefit from increased property values if housing supply tightens further. The Regional Factor The impact will likely vary significantly by location: Areas with heavy reliance on new construction to meet housing demand could see more pronounced effects. Markets already facing severe affordability challenges might experience additional pressure. Regions with strong local building material production might be partially insulated from certain cost increases. Looking Ahead For those navigating the housing market during this period of tariff implementation, flexibility and awareness will be key. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to both housing prices and mortgage rate trends, as the balance between these factors will determine overall affordability. While economic policies like tariffs create ripple effects throughout various sectors, the housing market's inherent regional nature and the counterbalancing forces at play suggest that we'll see varied, rather than uniform, impacts across the country. What's certain is that the relationship between tariffs and housing is more complex than it might initially appear. By understanding these nuances, market participants can better position themselves for whatever changes may come.

Learn how to maximize your home’s value in a shifting market with expert tips on pricing, staging, and more. Contact Collins & Co. for expert real estate guidance.

Discover why the suburbs are making a comeback in 2025. Explore key trends in buyer preferences, including affordability, space, and lifestyle benefits.

Discover why property auctions are the go-to choice for sellers. Learn about faster sales, competitive bids, and more benefits with Collins & Co. Realtors and Auctioneers.

The latest Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia housing market data reveals some interesting shifts in Elizabethton's real estate landscape. As your local Elizabethton specialist, I'm here to break down what these numbers mean for our community and how they relate to broader regional trends. Elizabethton's February 2025 data shows a notable adjustment from December's figures. The median home price has decreased from $264,000 to $251,000, representing a 4.9% decline over just two months. This adjustment brings our market closer to the regional average while still maintaining stable value. Year-over-year data shows a slight 0.7% decrease in median sale price, indicating a market that's finding its equilibrium after the significant appreciation we saw throughout 2024. Sales volume in Elizabethton has decreased from 26 homes in December to 20 in February, reflecting a 23% reduction. This represents a 9.1% year-over-year decline, which is actually less severe than many surrounding communities. For context, Johnson City experienced a 29.9% year-over-year decrease, while Kingsport saw a 33.3% reduction. These shifts align with broader regional trends highlighted in Don Fenley's recent analysis of Tri-Cities migration patterns. According to Fenley, "New residents continued flocking to the Tri-Cities last year and fueling population growth. But the flow is changing. In 2024 it was down 30% from the previous year." This slowing migration likely contributes to our region's cooling sales volume. Fenley notes that while the Johnson City metro area saw a 45.7% decline in net domestic migration, the Kingsport-Bristol area experienced a smaller 16.9% decrease. Elizabethton's relatively modest sales volume decline suggests we're weathering this migration slowdown better than many neighboring communities. Despite these adjustments, Elizabethton's market position remains strong. Our median price of $251,000 places us squarely in the mid-range of regional communities, offering excellent value compared to areas like Johnson City ($325,000) and Blountville ($338,923). For homeowners, this stabilization after rapid appreciation represents a sustainable market condition. For buyers, Elizabethton continues to offer excellent value with prices below the Tri-Cities average of $262,000. As Fenley points out, "The softening of the net domestic migration isn't expected to have a significant effect on the housing market," noting that "filling the housing shortage – given current conditions – is still years away." This suggests that while the market is adjusting, fundamental demand remains strong.  Whether you're considering buying or selling in Elizabethton, these trends indicate a market that's finding balance while maintaining its core strength and value proposition. Please add a hyperlink to Don Fenley's article: https://donfenley.com/2025/03/18/tri-cities-city-community-february-home-sales/

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